Asylum seekers on hunger strike on Manus

Eoin Blackwell, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent

A number of asylum seekers at the Australian-run Manus Island detention centre have spent the past week on hunger strike, authorities say.

Eight asylum seekers went on a five-day hunger strike in protest at charges of fighting and assault levelled at them by PNG police, following a series of alleged incidents at the temporary facility on Lombrum Naval base.

One person is still believed to be still refusing to eat, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said on Thursday.

"There are indications that one remaining person is still on voluntary starvation, but they may have taken food and water recently although this has not been confirmed," a spokesperson said.

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The hunger strikers are part of a group of 18 detainees PNG police have charged with fighting and assault following a series of disputes at the centre.

DIAC says only 16 detainees were charged.

Manus provincial police commander Alex Ndrassal said police entered the site on March 21 to explain to the detainees why they had been charged.

"We went to explain to them the arrest situation and PNG law, and how PNG police do their work," Insp Ndrassal told AAP.

Inspector Ndrassal said the hunger strike ended after police spoke to the group.

Police charged the group last month but the matter has yet to come before the courts.